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Just two months ago that the Villa attacker stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery scolded him for missing a penetrating pass. During that period, with the team endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained if Rogers' form were a symptom or a cause for the side's wider issues.

“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”

This weekend, though, the sideline response was decidedly more positive. After Rogers swept in his second to reinstate Villa's lead, the boss tore off his winter coat, spread his arms and roared. The team were on their way to a tenth straight victory , despite not winning any of their first six fixtures, now sit only three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Challengers?

It remains a rather hard proposition to address. History, a general sense of the club, suggests not. Moreover, they've rarely been wholly dominant in many games, despite the fact the victories have stacked up.

Per Opta, twice all season has the team posted an expected goals figure significantly higher than their opponents. For a club that have put together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans appear curiously susceptible – however right now the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy looks like to engage in a shootout with the opposition and wait for Rogers to save the day with some precise efforts. This was the case at Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and it happened against the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal originated from an exquisite effort, arced just inside the upright from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

Can It Last?

Logic says not. In the recent win, Manchester United managed more efforts and more shots on target. Villa have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean may well be the greatest opponent Villa will encounter as the season progresses. The forward, surely, will not continue to thrashing the ball into the top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists another reality in which, instead of results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures might still return to peak condition.

• The main striker may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• The winger might become the player he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo are due to regain fitness, strengthening a sometimes shaky backline.

Maybe within that lies the seeds for a sustained push, but they surely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable the team would occupy third at Christmas. And most definitely earlier this season, few could imagine Rogers now would be at the forefront of a title charge while looking like an essential Three Lions star.

The current run should be enjoyed exactly since it appears so improbable. When the match-winner faced the home supporters when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These spells do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.